TALLADEGA, Ala. — The forecast for today's Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway has improved and it seems more likely that the race will start on time.

The Aaron's 499 is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. There originally was an 85 percent chance of rain for today, but the forecast has improved, with only a 5 percent chance of rain at race time. There is a 60 percent chance of rain late in the day, however.

Rain could threaten the races this weekend at Talladega. (AP Photo)

According to The Weather Channel, there is a 60 percent chance of rain around 4 p.m. The race at Talladega typically takes about three hours to run.

There were blue skies at Talladega Sunday morning, with little rain in the forecast until late afternoon.

Sprint Cup qualifying was rained out Saturday and the field for today's race was set by practice speeds on Friday. The Nationwide Series race started three hours late on Saturday, but was completed around 7:30 p.m.

NASCAR has its new track drying system on site, which means it possibly could dry the track well under the two-plus hours it typically takes to get the 2.66-mile, 48-foot-wide surface race ready.